Rigging is one of the most dangerous duties in the extremely hazardous world of offshore work. Using cranes and moving heavy loads overhead can sometimes result in horrible rigging accidents that leave people mangled, and sometimes even dead. If you have been hurt in a rigging accident you may have a right to compensation for your injuries. Accidents should not just be accepted. Many rigging accidents are caused by the negligence of employers and third party contractors. As an injured worker, you need to understand your rights. You may be entitled to more compensation than your employer wants you to know.

Maritime Law and Negligence

If you work offshore on a vessel or oil platform, you are covered by federal maritime law. While each case is unique, most offshore workers are allowed to sue their employers if their employers have negligently caused them injury.

In order to show negligence you will need to establish that:

• Your employer owned you a duty (such as a safe work environment)
• That your employer breached that duty
• That the breach of duty caused you physical injury
• As a result of the physical injury you suffered damages

Because negligence and maritime law is complex, you should have a maritime injury lawyer familiar with rigging accidents evaluate your case as soon as possible. Your employer may want to pressure you to move on from the accident as soon as possible. It is up to you to protect your rights by consulting with a lawyer.

Types of Injuries

Rigging accidents are especially dangerous because heavy equipment is being used to move heavy loads, often containing toxic chemicals, over the heads of other workers. When something goes wrong with a crane of the rigging, the results can be awful.

Some types of rigging accident injuries include:

• Fractured bones
• Crush injuries
• Drowning
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Chemical burns
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Strains and sprains
• Torn or ripped ligaments or muscles
• Amputations
• Eye injuries
• Ear injuries
• Lacerations

If you have been injured in any type of offshore accident, you need to get to safety and have a full medical evaluation. Even if you do not think you are injured, or your injuries are only minor, it is important to your long-term health and any possible injury claims that you see a doctor as soon as possible.

You may be suffering from hidden injuries. You may have been exposed to chemicals that require you to undergo additional tests. The sooner you get to the doctor the better chance you have of making a full recovery. Having an exam also documents the date of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and the possible cause of your injuries.

Challenges in Filing a Claim

Rigging accidents often have several different causes. Often, employers will try and blame you, the one who was injured for causing the accident. But, it is often not in the employer’s best interest to look too deeply into the true causes of a rigging accident. Even if you are partially to blame, under maritime law, you may still be able to recover damages from the other negligent parties. You will need a maritime injury lawyer to help you find out if others, including your employer, equipment manufacturers, or third party contractors have any liability for the accident.

Another challenge in rigging accident injury claims is proving your damages. The insurance companies that represent employers do not want to pay out any more money than they have to. You will not only need to prove that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, but you will also need to show how badly you were injured and how your injuries negatively affected your quality of life. The insurance company or your employer may also try and show that you did not do enough to get healthy. This could mean that you failed to follow the doctor’s instructions or that you took too long to go the doctor in the first place.

There are several different laws that govern injury claims in rigging accidents. If you fail to file the right information with your claim within the right timeframe, you may lose any chance at getting compensation for your pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been injured because of the negligence of someone else, you will need help in getting the monetary damages you deserve. Finding a maritime injury lawyer can be overwhelming. We want to help. We can help connect you with an experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled maritime injury lawyer who has a strong track record with claims like yours. You may only have a short time to bring your claim. Contact us today and let us help you find the right lawyer for your case.